§ 56. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Postmaster-General whether the cost of postal facilities is charged to Government Departments or is the cost borne by the Post Office?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)The cost of postal facilities for Government Departments is borne on the Post Office Vote, but credit is taken in the commercial accounts of the Post Office for the value of the facilities so provided.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the statement that the Post Office makes a profit of £9,000,000 a year is a misapprehension?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. I should like to go into that matter with my hon. Friend on a more convenient and proper occasion.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWill the Postmaster-General look into this matter, and see that the various Government Departments pay their fair share of expenses, and practise more economy in the use of stationery?
§ Sir K. WOODI hope they will do so, and, if my hon. Friend has any evidence to the contrary, I shall be glad to receive it.
§ 63. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the cost of Inland Revenue postage is a charge against the tax collected; and, if not, how is the postage accounted?
§ Sir VICTOR WARRENDER (Lord of the Treasury)The cost of postage of the Inland Revenue Department, like that of other Government Departments, is shown in Appendix F to the Post Office Estimates as a service rendered by the Post Office without repayment. The position is also made clear on the face of the estimate for the Inland Revenue Department, where the hon. Member will find a statement of total expenditure and receipts appended to Part II of that estimate.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWill the hon. Gentleman convey to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the importance of allocating an account for these postal facilities, so that the accounts of the Post Office may be true and accurate?
§ Sir V. WARRENDERI will convey that suggestion to my right hon. Friend.